ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FNSS of Turkey, a joint venture between BAE Systems, Inc. and Nurol
Holding of Turkey, has received and signed a $559 million letter of
offer and acceptance (LOA) from DEFTECH of Malaysia for the design,
development and manufacture of 257 DEFTECH AV-8 8x8 wheeled armored
vehicles and Integrated Logistics Support for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

“BAE Systems, Inc. actively looks to support
FNSS in its ambition to market its land vehicle expertise globally.”

The vehicle, to be manufactured by DEFTECH in Malaysia, is based on the
FNSS-designed PARS 8x8 multi-purpose, multi-mission, wheeled armored
vehicle. The vehicle will be redesigned by FNSS and DEFTECH engineers
specifically to meet the requirements of the Malaysian customer.

“This effort will not only benefit the Malaysian Army, but will also
further develop the indigenous capability in Malaysia,” said John Kelly,
vice president of exports and international business for BAE Systems’
Land & Armaments sector. “BAE Systems, Inc. actively looks to support
FNSS in its ambition to market its land vehicle expertise globally.”

Malaysia’s AV-8 8x8 armoured wheeled vehicle program involves the local
design, development and manufacture of the vehicle, as well as the
integrated logistic support. FNSS will provide the technical assistance
and technology transfer to enable DEFTECH to produce the vehicles in
Malaysia. The AV-8 will be Malaysia’s first indigenous 8x8 armored
wheeled vehicle family consisting of 12 variants, for use by the
Malaysian Army.

“This project builds on the already successful industrial partnership
with DEFTECH, our long term industrial partner in Malaysia. We look
forward to supporting DEFTECH on this challenging program and making it
another success story in Malaysia,” said Nail Kurt, General Manager and
CEO of FNSS. “FNSS is committed to providing the means for DEFTECH to
realize the goal of developing an 8x8 Wheeled Armored Vehicle Family
(AV8) to meet the Malaysia Armed Forces requirements. The project is
based on putting in place the infrastructure to design, develop, produce
and maintain a family of 8x8 Wheeled Armored Vehicles.”

FNSS and DEFTECH previously delivered 211 ADNAN Armored Combat Vehicles
(ACV) and 8 120mm ACV Mortar Carriers to the Malaysian Army and are now
about to complete the deliveries of 48 additional ADNAN ACVs under a
separate contract.

About FNSS

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S. is a leading designer, manufacturer and
supplier of armoured combat vehicles and weapon systems for the Turkish
Armed Forces and Allied Armed Forces. FNSS is a Turkish based
joint-venture company between Nurol Group of Turkey and BAE Systems, Inc.